Claude Monet's 'Water Lillies' (1920) and Chuck Closes' 'Maggie' (1998)
Both Claude Monet and Chuck Close were exploring paint, colour and human perception. Research the work of both artists in order to;
Both Claude Monet and Chuck Close were exploring paint, colour and human perception. Research the work of both artists in order to;
1. Outline the intentions of each artist.
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| Maggie, (1996), Oil on canvas, 30 x 24" (76.2 x 61 cm), Photograph by Ellen Page Wilson, courtesy of PaceWildenstein, New York, © Chuck Close |
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| Self Portrait (1994). Chuck Close. Detail. |
Chuck Close was born in Monroe, Washington in 1940. He is an American painter and photographer who achieved fame as a photorealist, though his massive-scale portraits. Chuck Close is one of the world’s leading modern artists. His art is focuses on portraits of himself and his family and friends, often produced at a very large scale. You can only see the painting figures from the distance.
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| Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet |
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| Water Lillies (1920) Claude Monet |
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was born in Paris, France November 14, 1840. Monet was the French Impressionist painter. His intentions were reflections in his subject matter and how he used colours in the painting. Monet often painted the exact same view numerous times to depict changing light and weather conditions.
2. Describe the techniques of each artist
The technique Claude Monet has used was loose brush strokes. He hasn’t used any outlines in these paintings. Many of brush strokes are painted at same place over and over again to show the forms of what these paintings meant to be. He didn’t mixed his colours he used similar different colours to show the shadow of the painting.
The subjects weren’t supposed to be recognizable. “ I was intent on just painting really anonymous people,” close recalls. “ Then they managed to become famous, and it kind of screwed up my game plan”. His subjects many times than life with a hyper-realistic outlook, close focuses equally on traditionally unimportant features such as skin, hair, and stubble as well as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Find 2 quotes about each artists work, and reference them correctly.
"All the fingerprint paintings are done without a grid."
Roy II, 1994
oil on canvas
"Well, I’m a human being and I take pictures of people and I make paintings about them. These are images that matter to me. I don’t do commissioned portraits, and I don’t paint people that I’m not close to." (Robert Ayers)
oil on canvas
"Well, I’m a human being and I take pictures of people and I make paintings about them. These are images that matter to me. I don’t do commissioned portraits, and I don’t paint people that I’m not close to." (Robert Ayers)
4. Note 3 similarities of the work of both artists.
The both artist have same similarities of how they both used paint to draw, they don’t use outline on their painting, their brushstrokes are similar the paintings are more clear only if you look at from the distance. It has shadows created by using different colours rather than mixing the paint.
5. What are some differences between the artist's work. (at least 3)
Chuck close painting is more realistic where Monet painting is dramatic. Chuck’s painting is more about human face and Monet’s painting is more about the landscape. Their brush movements are different how Chuck use square and Monet use short lined brushstrokes.
6. Describe your response to the work of both artists.
I like the fact how Chuck and Monet use the bright colours and they have different looking paintings. How face can be drawn like in a grid was interesting. I personally like the colours that Chuck used rather than Monet and to me Chucks painting is more interesting.
I found it interesting, the technique which Monet used to create his painting - loose brush strokes using many tones of a single color to build up on light and shadows - I actually never knew about that.
ReplyDeleteI really disagree with your view on realism compared between Monet and Close. Monet was an impressionist painter but it was believed he was influenced by the work of Gustave Courbet - the french painter who led the realist movement during the 19th century, who's works consisted of images of the harsh reality of the world we live in (e.g. Stone breakers, 1849) Hence in my opinion, Monet's revolve around the idea of realism than that of Close.
You have demonstrated a great understanding of both Chuck Close and Claude Monet's works. I respect that you have thoroughly researched each artist's background before discussing the outline of each artist's work. I like how you have described Monet's technique as using loose brush strokes. His works provide clear visual evidence of this technique, and it is one Monet demonstrates a lot. I like how you have noted that the subjects weren't supposed to be recognizable and then you refer to a quote from Close saying "I was intent on just painting really anonymous people". I found the continuation of the quote rather amusing, as it somewhat gave us a slight idea of Close's personality, "Then they managed to become famous, and it kind of screwed up my game plan".
ReplyDeleteFrom your answers I could gain kowledge of each artist Monet and Choke close. The technique of Claude Monet was very interesting , how he used loose brush strokes. "Many of brush strokes are painted at same place over and over again to show the forms of what these paintings meant to be." There is no clear outline in his painting he uses many similar colours , brush stroking. "He didn’t mixed his colours he used similar different colours to show the shadow of the painting." Therefore there is no big
ReplyDeletecontrast and no significant focus in his painting
I like the quote you added about how close doesn’t do commissioned art work and that the people he paints are important to him. I also stumbled upon this quote while researching the artist. I believe this quote is important in differentiating some of Closes earlier work from being just a skilled portrait artist because he cares deeply about his work and the paintings in which he creates. He has said that he believes that he’s the happiest living artist and I think that this is really important to learn and is seen through his work and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the clear comparison you draw between the two artists and the clearly layed out discussion on differences in subject matter and approach. I agree with Gemma and believe the quote about how Close avoids commissioned art work is very insightful in giving us an insight into the artist's psyche. It would have been interesting to see a discussion on how this differentiated him from Monet in terms of ethos/manifesto as Monet intended to paint arbitary people who he did not personally know ,another deliberate artistic conceit. I enjoyed your comparison of the two styles but have to disagree with your statement that Close's paintings are more realistic. I would for a start veer away from using terms relating to realism when discussing two examples of impressionist art. I see the point you are making that Close's subject matter is essentially more honest yet I challenge that Monet's work is equally realisitic in style as it depicts dramatised landscapes ,enhancements of natural scenes. A simalrity evidenced in the depth close includes in his portraits and the emotional attachment evident in his paintings. In true Impressionist style the works provide a hightened experience of natural phenomena.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about both artist using of style. I also like the colours that they use. It is both very colorful and full looking.The way that he painted the portraits in grid form is very unique and hard to take my eyes off it. I also agree with what you said about "Chuck close painting is more realistic where Monet painting is dramatic. Chuck’s painting is more about human face and Monet’s painting is more about the landscape." After seeing the amazing works they have done, I can see why you said that Close's painting is realistic and Monet's painting is dramatic.
ReplyDeleteEven though his expression skill is very special, I’m not impressed but I only agree your view of similar of the work of two artists. I think Monet’s work has rhythm more than Close’s work because Monet’s capture is more realistic. According to History of Art by H.W. Janson “Monet alone remained faithful to the Impressionist view of natural…..however, is still the endlessly fascinating interplay of reflection and reality.”
ReplyDeleteFrom reading your blog it is obvious that you have a clear understanding of Modernism and Post-Modernism. I also like how you discussed the similarities and differences etc between the two art works, it is clear that you really like these artists and enjoyed researching about them.
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